After holding on for a 4-3 win last night, the Boston Red Sox look to escape the Windy City tonight with a series win in the finale of three-game set with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. You can also catch the game online at ESPN3.com and on the WatchESPN app for your tablet/mobile device. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.
After making 22 appearances out of the bullpen, Franklin Morales will make his first start (23rd appearance) of the 2012 season in place of the injured Josh Beckett. In his previous 22 appearances, Morales is 0-1 with a 3.04 ERA. He made two appearances against the Cubs last season and had no record with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/3.2 IP). Overall in his career, he’s made four appearances (one start) against the North Siders and has no record with a 3.09 ERA (4 ER/11.2 IP). Tonight marks the first time he’ll toe the rubber at Wrigley Field.
Paul Maholm makes his 13th start of 2012 for the Cubs. In his previous 12 starts, Maholm is 3-4 with a 4.91 ERA. His lone career start against the Red Sox came in 2011 as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates when he picked up the win after allowing one run in 5.1 innings of work.
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the overnight and day if you’re on the home page.
Here are today’s lineups:
 32-33 |
 22-43 |
||
| 1. Scott Podsednik | LF | 1. Reed Johnson | RF |
| 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B | 2. Darwin Barney | 2B |
| 3. Kevin Youkilis | 3B | 3. Starlin Castro | SS |
| 4. David Ortiz | 1B | 4. Alfonso Soriano | LF |
| 5. Mike Aviles | SS | 5. Jeff Baker | 1B |
| 6. Darnell McDonald | RF | 6. Joe Mather | CF |
| 7. Kelly Shoppach | C | 7. Welington Castillo | C |
| 8. Ryan Kalish | CF | 8. Luis Valbuena | 3B |
| 9. Franklin Morales | P | 9. Paul Maholm | P |
| Franklin Morales | SP | Paul Maholm | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
NOTES:
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Cody Ross nears return, Carl Crawford optimistic about progress [Clubhouse Insider]
Ryan Kalish: ‘I can bring that energy that is really good for a team’ [Clubhouse Insider]
Punto uses lessons from one-time prospect father [CSN New England]
Sweeney hits DL with sesamoid bone (toe) injury [CSN New England]
Morales gets start for Sox-Cubs fiinale [ESPN Boston]
Red Sox-Cubs finale: Things to know [ESPN Boston]
Gonzalez sees positive signs [ESPN Boston]
Kalish in, Sweeney [DL] out in center field [ESPN Boston]
Bard sharp again for Pawtucket [Extra Bases]
Ross set for activation on Tuesday [Extra Bases]
The startling return of Ryan Kalish [Full Count]
Matt Barnes Moving Up Quickly in Red Sox Minor League System (Video) [NESN.com]
Ryan Kalish Could Offer Red Sox Offense A Jolt After Being Recalled From Pawtucket [NESN.com]
Rich Hill on the Mark Prior era in Chicago: ‘Everybody knew in the clubhouse that it was going to be a good day’ [Projo Sox Blog]
Red Sox sign first-rounder Marrero [Projo Sox Blog]
Shoulder maintenance just getting started for Kalish [Projo Sox Blog]
Painful toe injury finally gets the best of Sweeney [Projo Sox Blog]
Ross close to activation, Crawford progressing [Projo Sox Blog]
Morales makes first start since ’09 in rubber game [RedSox.com]
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